BYU-Idaho to offer three new degrees

BYU-Idaho will offer three new degrees beginning in the 2010-11 academic year.

March 29, 2010Writer: Writer: Mark Beck

Brigham Young University-Idaho will offer three new degrees beginning in the 2010-11 academic year.

The Department of Humanities & Philosophy, which for many years has provided students with minors in humanities and philosophy as well as other general education and Foundations courses, will now offer a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities.

Humanities majors will emphasize in one of three areas: intellectual heritage, law, and lifelong learning. "The emphases cover a wide spectrum of knowledge, and the students are excited about it," said Department Chair Vaughn Stephenson. "We expect to award the first Bachelor of Arts in Humanities degree in Spring 2012."

Additionally, the Department of Mechanical Engineering will now offer a Bachelor of Science in Welding Fabrication Technology Management and an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Welding Fabrication Technology. "The AAS is designed for a student who wants to work in the welding, manufacturing, or fabrication field," Department of Mechanical Engineering Chair Garth Miller said. "A good example of the type of job that a student would be qualified for would be to work in a small fabrication shop where they need people with many skills."

Miller said the new welding degree will benefit many students. "Students have requested welding to be a major for a while, so we're happy we now offer it," Miller said. "It's a great skill to have."